Hat-making apparatus



Feb.'14,1939. HE TH 2,147,531

HA? MAKING A PPARATUS Filed May 25, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l A Heolfb Feb. 14, 1939. A, HEATH 2,147,531

HAT MAKING A PPARA'IUS Fil ed May 25, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE .i ,2,147,5s1f j HAT-MAKING APPARATUS Aurelius V. Heath, Norwalk, -Conn., assignor to,

The Norwalk Hat Company, Norwalk, Court, a corporation of Connecticut a Application May 25, 1938, Serial No. 210,027

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in hat making apparatus, and more particularly to drive and control means for hat body stretchingmachines known to the art as brim-stretching ma- While not limited thereto, the invention contemplates improvements in hat making apparatus as exem plified by the type AA automatic brim-stretching machine as manufactured by 10 sec. An. Mezzera, oflMilan, Ita1y. ,In such a known machine the cone-shaped hat bat is placed on asupport formed by a plurality of spaced rotajting cones of relatively small diameter with reference to the diameter of the bat, each turn- 5 ingfon its own axis, with the axes of the cones being arranged in converging relation. Upon depression of a foot lever by the operator, the main shaft of the machine is connected throughfthe medium of a mechanical clutch with'a continuously operating driving motor, and themachine thereuporroperates throughout a cycle of operas tions in automatic manner. Such operations in: clude that ofraising of the bat support to a posi-- tion with reference to the machine head that pivoted stretching fingers fulcrumed in the head are forcibly oscillated into engagement with the lower or skirt portion of the batwhich subsequently forms the hat brim, and more particular- 1y into engagement with portions of the bat lying betweenthe spaced rotating cones whereby to stretch such portions. Due to the rotation of the supporting cones, the bat is given a limited rotation about its axis so that different portions or thebat arepresented for treatment by the stretching fingers. Upon completion of this portionof the cycle, the support lowers to its initial position and a knock-out pin carried by a rotating gear embodied in the mechanism comes into a position as to cooperate with the clutch to disengage the same, thus to interrupt the drive be tween the motor. and the main shaft.

In the practical operation of such a machine, certain objectionable features have developed which have not onlyreduced the efliciency of the 4 machine, but in many cases have seriously impaired its operation. Among such features may be noted the likelihood of the knock-out being sheared off as it disengages the clutch and the un sureness of the pin in eifecti'n'g disengagement of the clutch due to the complicated nature of the clutch rigging; Again, the machine as aforesaid has shown a tendency to overrun or coast past its stop position due to the mass of the rotating parts; of the drive and driven mechanisms, there being provided no braking effect as would 0541 .58 the machine tobe held in its predetermined stop position at the end of each cycle of operations.

Itis accordingly an object of the present invention toprovide improved hat making apparatu's as specified,which is characterizedby efil- 5 ciency in operation and which is further so designed andconstructed that the machine operates with surety and in predetermined manner throughout its cycle. More particularly the presentinvention contemplates an improved driveand 0 control means for machines such as the Mezzera machine asaforesaid; by which the machine parts are positively driven throughout their cycle of operationand, upon reaching the stop position of e mach e. a th reu qn si v l pr ve from overrunning or coasting past that position. In order, further, to simplify the operation and controljof the machine, the present invention provides .a completely electric control for the driving means,- according to which a driving mo- 20 torfis energizediupon closing of anoperator controlled switch and is thereafter automatically deenergized upon completion of the machine cycle. The control further exercises control function over a brake, preferably of the magnetic type, 5 which may be actuated to release position upon the motor beingenergized, but which simultaneously with the motorbeing deenergized becomes effective to brake the motor shaftor related parts, thus to, insure that the machine is held at its predetermined stop position.

Other objects will be in part obvious. andin part hereinafter pointed out inconnectio-n with the following analysis of this invention wherein is 35 illustrated an embodiment of the invention in detail. a a J In the drawings-- l Fig.1 is a side elevation of anautomatic brimstretching machine incorporating the drive and 40 control features of the present invention;

' Fig. 2 is a topplan view and Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail view illustrating a preferred manner of actuating a cyclically moving part of 4.5 the machine; and

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical control features. 1

Referringnow to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like parts through- 50 out the several views, reference characters II] and H represent, respectively; the side frames extending upwardly fromthe machine base I2 to provide a horizontal table or support I3. Mountd'at thesides of the support 13 and extending 5 upwardly therefrom are side posts l5 and I6 secured at their upper ends in a fixed head l1.

Arranged to slide vertically with reference to the posts l5, I6 is a cyclically movable head l8 provided with side ears 20 through which the posts extend and by which the head is guided in its cyclical movement as will be described.

Carried by the head I8 is a plurality of bat supporting elements in the nature of elongated cones 22 of relatively small diameter, the cones being spaced from each other and arranged on axes which have a converging relation. Each of the cones 22 is adapted to be rotated on its own axis by means of a pinion secured to the lower end of each cone shaft, the pinions being arranged about and meshing with a central gear fast on a vertical shaft 23 (Fig. 4) and the pinions and central gear (not shown) being enclosed within the head "3.

Disposed below the fixed head I1 is a reciprocating member 25 journaled on and guided by the side posts l5, IS. The reciprocating member carries on its upper surface a plurality of spaced lugs or bosses 26 to each of which is secured a link 21, the other end of which is pivoted to an outwardly directed end of a stretching finger 2B pivoted as at 30 to the under face of the fixed head l1. Upon limited reciprocatory movement being imparted to the member 25, the stretching fingers 28 will be swung or oscillated toward and away from the vertical axis of the machine, as indicated by the arrow (Fig. 1)

The main shaft of the machine is indicated at 3| and, upon rotation thereof, is adapted through gearing and shaft transmission (only generally shown) to actuate the machine throughout a predetermined cycle of operation. During the first part of the cycle, head l8 carrying the cones 22 is raised to the dotted line position indicated in Fig. 1. During the intermediate portion of the cycle, the head I8 is maintained in its raised position; and the cycle terminates upon the head lowering to its stop position. The raising and lowering movement as aforesaid results upon rotation of a cam 32 (Fig. 4) fixed on a cross shaft 33 which is driven from the main shaft 3|, the cam engaging a roller 34 on an arm 35, one end of which is counterbalanced by a weight 36. The other end of arm 35 is yoked to the collar 31 with reference to which shaft 23 may turn but which imparts vertical movement to said shaft.

The arrangement and cycle of operations of the machine generally described in the foregoing are such that a conical hat bat is positioned in upright position on the small cones 22, with the head [8 in its starting position being illustrated in full lines (Fig. 1). Upon commencement of the cycle by rotation of main shaft 3 l head I8 is actuated upwardly against the counter-balancing effect of weight 36 to a position that the hat bat carried by the cones 22 is engaged by the stretching fingers upon oscillation thereof. The arrangement of cones 22 and stretching fingers 28 is such the stretching fingers engage the portions of the raised bat intermediate the cones 22, thus to stretch such portions between the cones. Rotation of the cones 22, as results from rotation of shaft 23 driven from the main shaft 3|, imparts a limited rotation to the hat bat about its vertical axis, with the result that different portions of the hat bat are presented for treatment by the stretching fingers 28. Upon completion of the stretching portion of the cycle, the head and hat bat are lowered to stop position, and the hat bat may now be lifted from the support. The stretching fingers 28 are oscillated about fulcrum points 30 upon reciprocation of member 25 by arms 38 which in turn are actuated through crank and pitman connections 39, 40 so related to the main shaft 3| that rotation of the latter causes arms 38 and hence the member 25 to be reciprocated.

The shaft and gear train operative between the main shaft 3| and the Working parts of the machine may incorporate pulleys 42, 43 of varying diameter whereby the working time of the cycle may be varied in accordance with requirements such as the particular type of hat being stretched or otherwise. Adjusting features are incorporated, such as means for adjusting the relative height of the cones 22, thus to adjust for different heights of the bat or body being worked upon, such being under the control of an operating knob 45. Adjustment of the amount or degree of stretching imparted to the body may be provided through mechanism under the control of an operating knob 46. A manually controlled handle 41 may also. be provided for controlling flow of steam to the hat bats or portions thereof being stretched whereby to utilize the softening effect of the steam during the mechanical stretching operation.

It will be understood that the stretching machine as generally described above is of a type now available on the market and known as the type AA automatic brim-stretching machine, as manufactured by Soc. An Mezzera, of Milan, Italy, and accordingly no claim is made to the machine as described excepting as it enters into combinations falling within the scope of claims appended hereto.

Considering now the drive and control mechanism forming the subject-matter of the present invention, main shaft 3| has keyed or otherwise afiixed thereto a pulley 50 which is preferably of the multi-groove type to receive a plurality of driving belts 5i engaging with pulley 52, similarly of the 1nulti-groove type. The pulley 52 is fast on one end of the shaft 53 of a three-phase electrical motor generally indicated at M.

The support for the motor M and parts to be described may take the form of a rigid plate 55 bolted or otherwise fixedly secured to the horizontal table l3 of the machine support, the plate extending rearwardly as indicated in Fig. 1.

The other end of the motor shaft is extended beyond the motor casing for cooperation with a brake B, preferably of the magnetic type, such as manufactured by General Electric Company, Type CR9503-206-B. In a brake of the character specified, brake shoes are mechanically closed as by springs, but are opened i. e., released, upon energization of a magnet coil therein embodied. Brake B is also carried by the supporting plate 55 and is arranged generally in alignment with the motor M and its shaft 53.

Arranged in convenient location with respect to the motor and brake, and preferably also mounted on the support 55, as indicated particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, is a magnetic switch or relay MS, which may be of known construction, such as is manufactured by General Electric Company, Type C. R. 7006-D4OH 220 volts- 6O cycles-5 H. P.

As the driving and control means of the present invention contemplates that the machine shall be put into operation by an attendant, the motor is adapted to be energized from the front of the machine. Accordingly the front end of shown in the accompanying drawing shall be in-' terpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:--

1. The combination of automatic hat stretching apparatus including a mainshaft and a member adapted to be actuated thereby throughout a cycle of operations, driving means for the main shaft, manually operable means for energizing the driving means thereby to initiate the cycle, and means responsive to the completion of the cycle to deenergize and simultaneously to brake the driving means.

2. The combination of automatic hat stretching apparatus including a main shaft and a member adapted to be actuated thereby throughout a cycle of operations, driving means for the main shaft, manually operable means for energizing the driving means thereby to initiate the cycle, means responsive to the completion of the cycle to deenergize the driving means, and means effective upon such deenergization to apply a braking effect on the driving means.

3. The combination of automatic hat stretching apparatus including a main shaft and a member adapted to be actuated thereby throughout a cycle of operations, an electric motor including a motor shaft, a driving connection between the motor shaft and the main shaft, manually operable means for energizing the motor, and means responsive to the completion of the cycle to deenergize the motor and simultaneousl therewith to brake the motor shaft.

4. The combination of automatic hat stretching apparatus including a main shaft and a member adapted to be actuated thereby throughout a cycle of operations, an electric motor including a motor shaft, a driving connection between the motor shaft and the main shaft, manually operable means operative to energize the motor thereby to initiate the cycle, means responsive to completion of the cycle to deenergize the motor, and means effective upon such deenergization to brake the motor shaft.

5. The combination of automatic hat stretching apparatus including a main shaft and a member adapted to be actuated thereby throughout a cycle of operations, an electric motor having a motor shaft, a drive connection operative between one end of the motor shaft and the main shaft, a magnetically releasable brake operatively related to the other end of the motor shaft, manually operable means operable simultaneously to energize the motor and to magnetize the brake whereby to initiate the cycle, and means operative upon completion of the cycle to demagnetize the brake whereby the brake closes to interrupt the drive between the motor. and the main shaft.

6. The combination of automatic hat stretching apparatus including a main shaft and a member adapted to be actuated thereby throughout a cycle of operations, an electric motor having a motor shaft, a driving connection operative between one end of the motor shaft and themain shaft, a magnetically releasable brake operatively related to the other end of the motor shaft,

manually operable means operable simultaneously to energize the motor and to magnetize the brake whereby to initiate the cycle, and means operative upon completion of the cycle simultaneously to deenergize the motor and to demagnetize the brake.

7. The combination of automatic hat stretching apparatus including a main shaft and a member adapted to be actuated thereby throughout a cycle of operations, an electric motor including a shaft, a driving connection operative between one end of the motor shaft and the main shaft, a magnetically releasable brake operatively related to the other end of the motor shaft, a mag netic relay in controlling relation to the motor and the magnetic brake and operable when energized to effect energizationof the motor and magnetization of the brake, operator-controlled means for energizing the magnetic relay therebyto energize the motor and to magnetize the brake, thus to initiate the cycle, and means responsive to the completion of the cycle-.to deenergize the relay thereby to deenergize the motor and to effect closing of the brake.

8. The combination of automatic hat stretching apparatus including amain shaft anda member adapted to be actuated thereby throughout a cycle of operations, a driving motor including a shaft, a source of electrical energy, a driving connection between one end of the shaft and the main shaft, a brakeoperatively related to the other end of the motor shaft, said brake including a magnet coil which when energized operates to release the brake in opposition to mechanical closing means therein embodied, a magnetic relay operable when energized to complete a circuit between the source, the motor and the brake coil, an operator-controlled switch operable when closed to effect energization ofthe relay, and a normally closed limit switch operable when opened to effect deenergization of therelay and hence opening of the motor and brake circuits, said limit switch being opened by said member upon completion of the cycle.

AURELIUSV. HEATH. 

